Clair Pruett Greenville, 888-1000, clairpruett.com
Years in business: 75 Specialty: Over the years Clair Pruett has built a name for itself in the industry of social events photography, but it has stood out as a wedding photography company. What makes the job fun: Photographer Rich Pruett can’t pick just one highlight in his career. Instead, he says each event is reward in itself. “In our eyes, they are all exciting because they are all different than the last one.”
Djijo Studios Newark, 897-7368, djijostudios
Specialty: Photographer Karina Dafeamekpor pulls from her background in painting and graphic design when she shoots a wedding. “It definitely has a strong influence,” she says. “It helps me notice color, shape and composition.” Dafeamekpor calls her style a “mix of photojournalism and creative photography.” What makes the job fun: The job never gets dull for Dafeamekpor. “Every wedding is so different and so unique. I’ve enjoyed every one of them,” she says.
Foschi Fine Photography Wilmington, 655-4339, oschifinephotography.com
Years in business: 88 Specialty: For generations the shutterbugs at Foschi have been the go-to guys for wedding pictures and portraits.
Glazier Photography Wilmington, 477-1118, glazierphoto.com
Years in business: 20 Specialty: Glazier Photography has snapped everything from model portfolios to portraits to weddings, so you can be sure you’ll get an experienced professional.
Humbled Eyes Photography Milton, 743-1444, humbledeyesphotography.com
Years in business: three Specialty: Photographer Rob Nicholson describes himself as being laid back, which can be a blessing on the wedding day. His other focus is on building a relationship with the bride and groom, so he can best capture their personality in the pictures. What sets him apart: A passion for new technology. Nicholson is tuned in with the latest in digital photography and bringing his business online. That means that couples can enjoy their photos online and get to know him better through his blog.
Jim Graham Photography Montchanin, 690-7070, jimgrahamphotography.com
Years in business: 33 Specialty: If it’s photojournalism you want, Graham is your man. He worked as a photographer for newspapers such as the New York Times, The News Journal and USA Today. He’s even been nominated for two Pulitzer prizes. Why he loves shooting weddings: Graham has shot close to 500 weddings, and says he still hears from many clients. “That’s what’s special—when people care enough to stay in touch with you,” he says.
kamproductions Lewes, 228-1852, kamproductions.com
Years in business: seven Speciality: Photographer Keith Mosher considers himself a documentarian. For him, it’s about telling a story through images. “It’s not just doing a traditional style or photojournalist style,” he says. “There are lots of stills and candids, but the posed shots are done in a contemporary way.” He also edits images to “create a high fashion look.” Most memorable element from a wedding: Mosher says he appreciates it when a couple reveals a little of themselves to their guests. At one wedding, the couple gave out Dolle’s candy to highlight a personal favorite. “I like to see have elements of themselves, and have some of that local flavor.”
Laura Novak Photography Wilmington, 656-5274, novakphotography.com
Years in business: seven Specialty: Novak and her team invest heavily in building a bond with couples. That reflects itself in the comfort level between photographer and couple, and in turn, allows Novak to snap the image that best represents the wedding. “I try to tune into their relationship and how they interact,” she says. To develop that sense of trust, Novak limits herself to one wedding a weekend. It keeps her from feeling rushed, and helps her get in tune with the couple. What makes the job fun: “The best is when a client gets their photos, and is crying,” she says. “They are so grateful, and you realize in that moment that all of their expectations are exceeded.”
Lavender and lace Photography 425-0567, lavenderlacephoto.com
Years in business: 17 Specialty: A personalized service is key for husband-and-wife team Sam and Jo Trasatti. “We listen to the clients and try to be flexible to meet what they need,” Sam says. The payoff: A thank you is what keeps the duo from working exclusively on corporate or catalogue contracts, which makes up the rest of their business. “With those, you drop off the job at a desk and that’s it,” Sam says. “With a wedding, they show appreciation.” Sam and Jo know that wedding pictures will be looked at long after the event. “There is an extreme amount of responsibility, not just to the bride, not just to her parents, but to a generation that’s not even born yet.”
Litrato Photojournalism Newark, 229-5572, litratophoto.com
Years in business: six years Specialty: Photographer Ron Soliman works to capture everything, not just the standard portraits. It paid off for one couple who couldn’t figure out who gave a particularly thoughtful gift. The bride did all she could to put a name with the present, but came up short. Then she looked through the photos, and found a photo of an uncle holding the present. A thank you card was sent, and a minor disaster averted. Favorite moment in business: Soliman’s payoff is documenting personal history. “When they say ‘Thank you for recording that moment of our lives,’ that’s the best part.”
Mike Kehr Photography Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, 234-9080, mikekphoto.com
Specialty: The team at Kehr photography have backgrounds in everything from fine art photography to fashion, so whatever look you’re after, you’ll be able to achieve it.
Misty Dawn Photography Newark, 893-3822, mistydawnphoto.com
Years in business: two Specialty: Photographer Misty Dawn Pfeil calls herself “a lifestyle photographer,” which means capturing real moments as they happen.
NKA Studios Bear, 602-3058, nkastudios.com
Years in business: two Specialty: Nicole Aldridge strives to combine photojournalism, a documentary style and traditional candids. “I’m not in your face,” she says. “’But when a moment needs direction, I will step in.” What makes the job fun: A crafty bride who has her own style keeps Aldridge going. One couple used a vibrant shade of sour apple green in everything from the favors to the décor. It was a unique color that popped in the photos.
Pat Crowe II Photography Middletown, 378-6005, patcrowephotography.com
Years in business: six Specialty: Photographer Pat Crowe says he specializes in “a little bit of everything.” That includes photojournalistic candids and portraits. Crowe has a long history as a photojournalist who has worked for the Associated Press. Favorite moment in business: It’s all in the thanks for Crowe. “The most rewarding part is when I get praise from brides and grooms,” he says. “I enjoy making them happy.”
Plotkin Photography Kennett Square, (610) 388-1997, plotkinphotography.com
Years in business: 20 Specialty: Photographer Joel Plotkin makes it his goal to be mellow. “Your wedding is the most stressful day of your life,” he says. “I try to not add to that.” He keeps his brides calm by working as an observer, not a heavy-handed artistic director. The result is natural photos that tell the day’s story. What makes the job fun: The job itself and the happy atmosphere are what have kept Plotkin in the business for two decades. “Where else could I work and be with people who are having fun all of the time?” he asks.
Sam Ellis Photography Ocean View, 841-0015, samellis.com
Years in business: 10 Specialty: Photographer Sam Ellis says he is most at home on the sand. “I love doing beach weddings because they are so much more fun and relaxed,” he says. “They definitely have a different vibe than a church wedding.” What makes the job fun: The job alone is fun for Ellis. In fact, he loves doing it so much that he has kept the business, even though he has another full-time career as a teacher. “I do weddings because I love doing weddings, not because I want to be rich,” he says.
Thom Thompson North Wilmington, 764-2448, thomthompson.com
Years in business: seven Specialty: Thompson works mostly in architecture and food photography, but takes on a few weddings each year. The photos tend toward a photojournalistic style, mixed with lots of candids. What makes the job fun: Thompson prides himself on building a relationship with his couples. That means there will definitely be a sit-down session before the wedding, usually over a pint of his home-brewed beer.
Timeless Images Lewes, 645-8225, timelessimagesdelaware.com
Years in business: 21 Specialty: The husband and wife team of Emily and Al Derickson split the work. Al focuses on some traditional elements, while Emily concentrates on candids. Why they never tire of the job: “Every wedding is different,” Al says. “So we try to make every wedding’s [photos] different.”
